Overture to Die Fledermaus
Johann Strauss (1825-99)
Die Fledermaus means ‘the bat’. (Why use two syllables when you can so easily use four?) The operetta is a romp from beginning to end, much along the lines of a French farce, with a masked ball helping to create delicious confusion and a host of misunderstandings. One of the protagonists, Eisenstein, is disguised as a bat at this ball – hence the title. Yet again, the overture provides a preview of the jollity to come with catchy tunes tumbling one upon another, some repeated, and all virtually certain to ring around your head after you get home. Infidelity, lying and drunkenness are glorified as only the Viennese knew how.
Johann Strauss (1825-99)
Die Fledermaus means ‘the bat’. (Why use two syllables when you can so easily use four?) The operetta is a romp from beginning to end, much along the lines of a French farce, with a masked ball helping to create delicious confusion and a host of misunderstandings. One of the protagonists, Eisenstein, is disguised as a bat at this ball – hence the title. Yet again, the overture provides a preview of the jollity to come with catchy tunes tumbling one upon another, some repeated, and all virtually certain to ring around your head after you get home. Infidelity, lying and drunkenness are glorified as only the Viennese knew how.